Did you know that 300 Filipinos die every day from ischemic heart disease, making it the leading cause of death in the country? Add to this the thousands who suffer preventable deaths due to lack of access to proper medical care, and the grim reality of the Philippine healthcare system becomes painfully clear.
For millions of Filipinos, quality healthcare remains out of reach—a crisis that demands immediate and sustained action.
This is the aim of the HEALTH ALLIANCE PH (HEAL PH) Party-list 152, a dedicated group of healthcare reform advocates committed to transforming the nation’s healthcare landscape. In partnership with Dr. Willie Ong, a physician known for his tireless social media advocacy for public health, and Dr. Jondi Flavier, son of the late Senator Dr. Juan Flavier, HEAL PH is leading a movement to ensure that every Filipino, especially the poorest, has access to essential healthcare services.
A Health Card for All: A Vision of Universal Healthcare
At the heart of HEAL PH’s platform is the promotion of Health Cards with unlimited medical coverage. These cards aim to provide all Filipinos access to essential health services, from free medicines and laboratory tests to life-saving surgeries and specialist care.
This initiative seeks to dismantle the barriers that prevent vulnerable communities from receiving the care they deserve while combating corruption and inefficiencies in healthcare facilities.
LET’S DOH IT AGAIN: Building on a Legacy
The rallying cry, “Let’s DOH it again,” encapsulates HEAL PH’s commitment to continuing the work of trailblazers like Dr. Juan Flavier, who championed primary healthcare reforms during his tenure in the Senate. This legacy is carried forward by Dr. Jondi Flavier and Dr. Willie Ong, alongside key nominees like former DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag and former DENR Undersecretary Major General Bennie de Leon.
G.O.A.L.: A Comprehensive Health Program
HEAL PH’s advocacy is anchored on the G.O.A.L. program, a holistic approach to healthcare reform that addresses the most pressing needs of underserved communities:
G – Gamot (Free Medicines): Ensuring lifesaving medications are available to all.
O – Operasyon (Free Medical Operations): Providing free surgeries for those who cannot afford them.
A – Abiso (Correct Health Advice): Offering accurate and accessible health education.
L – Lab Tests (Free Laboratory Tests): Making essential diagnostics available to even the poorest communities.
This program will prioritize urban poor communities and remote barangays, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and those who need them most.
Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce
Recognizing the need for more health professionals in underserved areas, HEAL PH also pledges to recruit, train, and deploy idealistic young doctors and health workers. This initiative, inspired by Dr. Flavier’s 1993 program, aims to bolster the country’s healthcare workforce while improving access to quality care in marginalized regions.
Ensuring Accountability and Optimizing Resources
HEAL PH’s platform extends beyond healthcare delivery to include systemic reforms, such as modernizing existing government health infrastructure and implementing strict penalties for the misappropriation of public health funds. By focusing on optimizing current resources, rather than relying solely on new investments, the party-list aims to create a more efficient and accountable healthcare system.
Manifesto of Hope
On World Universal Health Care Day, December 12, 2024, the Manifesto of Solidarity and Collaboration was formally launched at The Peninsula Manila, marking a historic moment for healthcare advocacy in the Philippines. Signed by Atty. Gilbert Lauengco, Chief of Staff for Dr. Willie Ong, and witnessed by key HEAL PH nominees, the manifesto underscores the party-list’s unwavering commitment to providing every Filipino with the care they deserve.
HEAL PH Party-list 152, in partnership with Dr. Willie Ong, advocates a roadmap for a healthier, more equitable Philippines. Their vision of universal healthcare is bold yet achievable, rooted in the belief that every Filipino, regardless of income or location, has the right to quality medical care.
It’s time to prioritize health. It’s time to DOH it again—for the poorest Filipino families, for a better healthcare system, and for a stronger nation.
For more information on HEAL PH Party-list 152 and their advocacies, visit https://member.healphpartylist.com.
